asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he can make a statement in regard to the training of pilots for the Royal Air Force in Canada?

Yes, Sir. Agreement has been reached with His Majesty's Government in Canada on a scheme under which Royal Air Force pilots will be sent to Canada for intermediate and advanced flying training under the auspices of the Canadian Department of National Defence. The duration of the scheme will be three years, and the number of pilots to be trained will not exceed 50 in any one year. The costs of training will be borne by the United Kingdom Government. The existing arrangements for the entry of Canadian candidates for commissions in the Royal Air Force will continue. I should like to take this opportunity of expressing to His Majesty's Government in Canada our appreciation of their helpful co-operation in this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will state the total number of persons on the pay roll of his Department, administrative and otherwise, at the last available date and two years ago?

The total number of persons in full time employment on the pay roll of my Department (including both Royal Air Force regular personnel and civilians) at 1st April, 1937, was 83,442. The corresponding figure at 1st April, 1939, was approximately 148,000.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will acquaint the House of the reasons for going outside the Diplomatic Corps in the selection of an Ambassador to the United States of America?

The selection for the post of Ambassador at Washington of a person distinguished in public life who is not a member of His Majesty's Diplomatic Service is no innovation and the present appointment will, I am sure, prove no less beneficial to British interests than similar notably successful appointments in the past.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can give the House any information concerning the recent conversations between the Italian and Jugoslav Foreign Ministers?

A communiquégiving the result of these conversations was issued on 24th April. The communiqué was as follows:

"In the course of conversations which have taken place in Venice on April 22 and April 23 between Italian and Yugoslav Foreign Ministers the various questions which in the -present situation concern the two neighbouring and friendly States, including recent events in Albania, have been examined. This examination has confirmed once again the particular cordiality of the relations which exist between Italy and Yugoslavia—a cordiality which from the time of the conclusion of the Pact of Belgrade, which has ensured peace in the Adriatic and respect for reciprocal interests, has constantly been consolidated and strengthened in every field and in every respect.

"It has been arranged to strengthen the confident collaboration existing between the two States and between Yugoslavia and Germany both in political and in economic spheres with the Object of favouring the maintenance of peace and improving conditions of stability in the Danubian section. With regard to relations with Hungary, the two Ministers have examined the situation arising from most recent manifestations and have ascertained with satisfaction that they have opened the way to a useful understanding between the two Governments of Belgrade and Budapest."

asked the Prime Minister whether, following upon a collision between the Cuban warship "Cuba" and the steamship "Flashlight" in the River Thames on the 31st May, 1937,the Cuban Government took such steps as would indicate that it was prepared to accept responsibility there for or at least to settle the claim of the owners of the steamship "Flashlight" upon its merits; whether any settlement of that claim has yet been effected and, if so, what is the nature of such settlement; and whether, if no such settlement has been effected, he will make strong representations to the Government of Havana to expedite such a settlement?

In July, 1938,His Majesty's Minister at Havana, acting on instructions from my Noble Friend, formally submitted this claim to the Cuban Government. Notwithstanding repeated reminders, Mr. Grant Watson has not, so far as I am aware, yet received a reply to his representations. He is, however, continuing to keep the matter before the attention of the Cuban Government, who are aware that His Majesty's Government are anxious for an early and satisfactory settlement of this long outstanding claim.

asked the Prime Minister what were the circumstances connected with the forcible entry by Japanese blue-jackets into the Hongkew General Hospital, Shanghai, and the reported assault on the British Assistant-Commissioner of police; and whether any action has been taken by His Majesty's Government?

Dr. Bertram Lillie, principal of the Lester School and Henry Lillie Institution, was killed about 9 p.m. on the 24th April as the result of a collision between a car that he was driving and a Japanese motor-bus. Mrs. Lillie sustained superficial injuries and severe shock and a British Municipal Police sergeant riding in the car at the same time was badly injured. A Japanese marine standing on the running-board was injured and subsequently died. After the admittance to the general hospital of Mrs. Lillie and the police sergeant, Japanese marines forced their way into the hospital with the object of making inquiries. The facts of the case are obscure and the question whether any action by His Majesty's Government is appropriate must await full investigation and statements from Mrs. Lillie and the police sergeant, who are understood to be recovering.

asked the Minister of Transport what progress is being made with regard to the following road schemes which have been approved: proposed Hyde-Romiley road, Bennett Street to Manchester road by-pass road, road from Mottram old road to Godley Arches?

I understand that the borough surveyor of Hyde is preparing details of these three new town planning road schemes. As soon as the necessary particulars and estimates have been submitted the question whether a grant can be offered from the Road Fund will at once be considered.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has any statement to make on the report of the Transport Advisory Council on the square deal application of the railway companies?

I am unable to add to the answer given to questions on this subject last Wednesday.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what acreage has been lost in recent years through the breaks in the sea-banks of Martlesham Creek, River Deben, Suffolk; what was the cause of these breaks; who is responsible for maintaining and repairing these banks; and when the lost land is to be reclaimed?

About 25 acres of land have been flooded since 26th January, 1939. The breach through which they are flooded was caused by water getting behind the place where a breach had been made by an abnormal tide in February, 1938. The responsibility for maintaining and repairing the banks rests with the East Suffolk Rivers Catchment Board. A comprehensive scheme of works on the main river and sea walls of the catchment area has recently been approved by me for a grant under the Land Drainage Act, 1930. The scheme includes the rebuilding of the Martlesham Creek walls and the board have decided to proceed with this part of the scheme immediately.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is now prepared to give a guaranteed price of £ 4 a ton from 1st August, 1939, on surplus potatoes and introduce legislation to abolish all restrictions and payments on increased acreage?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Doncaster (Mr. J. Morgan) and my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Howdenshire (Major Carver) on 30th March, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Agriculture(1) whether he will consider erecting distillation plants to provide alcohol as a power spirit from potatoes produced in this country surplus to requirements;(2) whether he will consider introducing a scheme for the utilisation of potatoes for manufacturing into feeding-stuffs for pigs, and give financial assistance to factories erected for this purpose;

The problem of finding additional outlets for home-grown potatoes is essentially one for consideration by the Potato Marketing Board. In this connection I would mention that the board have submitted to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and me various amendments to the Potato Marketing Scheme, including some designed to give the board greater power in relation to the manufacture of potatoes into various products, and that these amendments, together with the report of the Commissioner who conducted the public inquiry into objections thereto, are now under consideration.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that 14,000 tenants of municipal houses in Birmingham have balloted in favour of a rent-strike, which will take place on 1st May; and will he cause inquiries to be made into the great unrest which is manifest throughout the country due to the general raising of the rents of municipal houses?

I am aware of the action taken by some of the tenants of the Birmingham Corporation. My right hon. Friend could not accept the statement that great unrest on this subject is manifest throughout the country, and the latter part of the question therefore does not arise.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the case of the refugees, Mr. and Mrs. Max Diamant, applied for by Mr. Parry, of Petton Hall, Salop, through the Society of Friends in Manchester, as a domestic couple at 80 a year; and will he authorise the issue of visas although the wage is below the£104 usually demanded, in view of the fact that their two children of six and eight years of age are already in England?

A minimum joint wage of £100 a year is required in these cases and my right hon. Friend is informed that the prospective employer of Mr. and Mrs. Diamant is prepared to pay this wage. The Society of Friends have submitted the case to my right hon. Friend on this basis, and a decision will be reached within the next day or two.

asked the Home Secretary whether any refugees enter this country from Eire; and, if so, whether exactly the same conditions of entry and residence apply to them as to similar persons arriving direct at a British port?

An alien on entering the United Kingdom from Eire is liable to all the provisions of the Aliens Order and any condition which may have been imposed on his stay by the authorities in Eire is, under the Order, operative in this country.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether it is his intention to approve the scheme formulated by the Liverpool city surveyor for covered-in street refuges; and, if so, when will the work be commenced?

A communication has been addressed to the city council conveying my approval of the scheme, subject to certain modifications in detail. The scheme does not contemplate erection of refuges at present, but merely the requisition of material suitable for rapid erection on the onset of emergency: I have authorised the council to acquire material on the scale they proposed.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many orders for merchant vessels had been placed since, and under the conditions of his scheme for assisting the building of merchant ships in the United Kingdom, Scotland, the Clyde, and Greenock, respectively; and what is the prospective gross tonnage thereof, respectively?

I have obtained from ship owners particulars of orders for cargo liners and tramps which they intend to submit for consideration under the scheme of grants for new ships proposed in my right hon. Friend's statement of 28th March. The orders notified as having been actually placed with United Kingdom yards since 28thMarch cover 143 vessels of 680,000 gross tons; 56 of these, of 275,000 gross tons have been placed with yards in Scotland, including 37 vessels of 200,000 gross tons to be built on the Clyde. of these latter four of 25,000 gross tons are for building at Greenock.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will authorise the display of a special National Service recruiting poster in public telephone kiosks?

Yes, Sir. My Department is collaborating with the Ministry of Labour in the production of a poster convenient for the purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what are the results of the investigations made by the Tanganyika Government into the activities of the German Usagara Company; and, in particular, as to whether this company has been illicitly importing and distributing arms and ammunition in the territory?

As regards the first part of the question, I understand that, while it is common knowledge that German planters are able to obtain mortgages on their properties from German companies operating in the territory, there is no definite evidence that these companies are directly State-aided, nor is it possible to say that German planters are directly subsidised by the German Government.As regards the second part of the question, I have received no evidence that there has been any illegal activity on the part of the Usagara Company, but I am asking the Governor for a report.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will state the total number of persons on the pay roll of his Department, including Reserves, administrative and otherwise, at the last available date and two years ago?

The figures showing the total personnel serving under the Admiralty at the latest available date and two years previously are 306,262 and 264,681respectively. These figures comprise naval and marine personnel, both active service and reserve, industrial and non-industrial staff at home and abroad, and civilians on fleet services. The hon. Member will, of course, appreciate that not all the reserve personnel can strictly be described as on the pay roll of the Admiralty.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the effect of war claims on the reduction of unemployment, it will be necessary to keep all the Employment Exchanges open and provide shelter for all the staffs in the event of war?

Having regard to the essential functions which would fall to the exchanges in the event of war, I am satisfied that any preparations that may be required cannot prudently be based on any assumed reduction in the present organisation.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the considerable number of men between the ages of 45 and 60who are unable to find employment, he will consider the advisability of carrying out a scheme whereby young men now employed in Government Departments, such as the Post Office, could be released for Defence services and the elder unemployed men take their places?

I have been asked to reply. Civil servants up to the age of 25, and in the case of certain grades up to the age of 35, are eligible to enrol in the various Auxiliary Defence Services which involve part-time training in peace time, and persons so enrolling would be released from civil duty in an emergency. These arrangements do not, however, involve any need for peace-time replacement.As regards compulsory measures, I would refer my hon. Friend to the Prime Minister's announcement in the House of Commons on the 26th April.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he is aware that the Food Defence Plans Department has recently published a list of foods suitable for household storage; whether he will take steps to arrange for the Department to give some indication as to what extent it is possible for householders to obtain foods of British production for such storage; and whether he proposes to encourage householders to store British-grown and preserved food as opposed to foreign produce?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the replies which I gave on 18th and 25th April.